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itsonlystrange · 4 years

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First off, I am not sending hate to any Mileven shipper. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion. I will only be providing actual facts and evidence, and hopefully will be staying relatively unbiased. As always, this is a PRO-BYLER account. If you do not ship Byler you do not have to read all the way through :).

This will be a 2 part series. The first part will address MILEVEN and how they will not be endgame. The second part will address the likely hood of BYLER being endgame.

So, I’ve been sucked into the Mileven side of Instagram after liking ONE Mileven edit, which is besides the point. Recently I’ve noticed a lot of people say that “They were love at first sight!” Or that “Why would they break up now if they’ve had 3 seasons of development?!” So I’m going to go ahead and supply you all with:

MILEVEN VS BYLER.

PART ONE (MILEVEN)

To start off with the first statement, “They were love at first sight!”

May I remind you how utterly mortified Mike was when he found Eleven. As any 12 year old boy would be. He did not give her any form of “heart eyes”. He looked genuinely scared. He took her home as a courtesy, not because he was “madly in love with her!”. Obviously not everyone would take home a random 12 year old bald girl, but El being taken to the Wheelers was not meant to be seen as a romantic gesture, it was literally just a plot device for the Kids to figure out she had powers.

May I also remind you that Mike wanted to get rid of her. He stated multiple times that she was just a weapon, and a device to find Will. He only let her stay BECAUSE she knew who Will was. He was fully ready to let her go, and send her back to wherever she came from. In the end of it all, he only cared about Will and finding Will. El was simply used as a device to find him. Obviously, now, I do think Mike cares about El. But not in a romantic way, more so a “cute puppy way”. I think he loves her, but that he’s not IN LOVE with her, romantically.

The show has shown constantly how horribly they work together. El’s most confident and prideful moments were when she was AWAY from Mike. Mike’s most loyal and selfless moments was when he was AWAY from El. They do not compliment eachother like that.

Second of all, they have nothing in common. In season one when Mike was explaining his figurines to El, she looked genuinely disinterested. Now some may say that this could be because she didn’t quite understand what she liked back then, which just further proves that she shouldn’t be in a relationship! If she can’t decide if she likes a dinosaur toy or not, how is she supposed to decide if she likes Mike! And we also know that she did have the ability to differentiate between things she liked as she seemed genuinely interested in Nancy’s clothes and photos. The only thing they have in common is shared trauma! Notice how all the other couples share something:

JANCY: love for writing and adventuring

LUMAX: both are comical and enjoy the cinema and the outdoors

DUZIE: science

Along with most of the other couples. But what does Mileven have In common? Can anyone please name ONE good memory between the two when they weren’t in danger. All the “good memories” they have are from when the world was ending.

If you said “Oh, but they make out a lot!” That’s not a ‘good memory’, hell, that’s hardly memorable at at all. Hoppper, Will, and Lucas even admit that for those 6 months in between season 2 and season 3, all they did was make out. That is not love, that is infatuation. Infatuation is a strong desire for someone, mainly romantic, that focuses on the physical aspects of their relationship rather than the emotional. Love is a deep rooted feeling. You do not need to make out all the time to be in love. Love is emotional, of course it can be physical, but you need that strong feeling before any physical aspect of love can be genuine.

Mileven have nothing in common. It’s very clear that Mike is still into D&D and is a nerd. Especially as he might be in the Hellfire Club next season (a D&D club) and also because we’ve seen that D&D is going to be a big aspect of season 4, meaning he’ll most likely be infatuated with it again. It’s obvious that El needs to figure herself out first. She needs to develop into her own human being. She’s still learning. She’s into poppy colors and magazines and makeup (which is great!), but even on a more basic level, they still share nothing in common. Mike is a nerd, we have established that. And notice how in s3 (when he was with El) he felt the least like himself. He acted so out of character. He didn’t use weird Star Wars analogies or gush about the new movie coming out like previous seasons. Now of course one could say that he’s growing up, but we see that he is genuinely still a nerd as when he’s in time of crisis he goes back to those analogies. He goes back to gushing about the new toys he’s getting at Christmas, he goes back to being a nerd. It’s almost as if he’s wearing this mask, and at the end of s3 he forgets to put it on. And then El kisses him, and he realizes that he didn’t enjoy that. So we know for a fact that he is very much still into D&D and those other shenanigans atleast to an extent, considering how happy he was to hear that Will wasnt giving up the party or D&D. Shouldn’t Mike be with someone who is atleast a little similar to him? Regardless of his sexuality, shouldn’t he be with someone that allows him to be his true self? He was incredibly Cocky and arrogant in season 3, almost like he had to be a “man” for El, and in his mind, being a ‘man’ was giving up all of the things he loved, and only kissing El, almost as if she was an object he had to obtain more than an actual human. Which Max agrees with! He treats her more so of a mask he has to wear to cover his true self. Shouldn’t el be with someone who likes the same thing she does? But then again, what does el like?! Exactly! She needs to figure out who she is before she dates anyone. She didn’t even know what shirt she would like to wear!

Now I just find this silly. Development? Really? Okay let me show you their “development”

SEASON ONE: El could only speak 4 or 5 words. They had essentially zero romantic interactions besides the kiss at the end. If El and Mike never kissed (excluding the time they almost kissed in the bathroom), people would most likely only see them as a friendship. Let’s flip the tables a bit. If El was a boy and Mike and El never kissed, this would further prove that they don’t have any romantic tension. Lucas says it the best: “You only like her because she’s the only girl who isn’t grossed out by you!” Which I agree with completely. It’s more of an infatuation. Mike is infatuated with the idea of finally having a girlfriend. Because he knows something is wrong inside him and wants to ‘fix it’ by dating a girl, as if suddenly his sexuality identity issues would disappear. El doesn’t know anything about Mike, and to El, Mike is a hero. To El, Mike is fearless warrior. And Mike knows that isn’t true. But with el, it gave him the chance to start fresh. It gave him the chance to start and become a different person. He puts on his persona of being “strong” and being able to stand up for himself, yet in the end, it’s El who does the saving. The reason he ‘likes’ El so much is because she isn’t disgusted by him. But mike is afraid that if he shows his true self, El wouldn’t like him anymore, and he’d lose that mask. And without a girl to cling to, he’d finally have to confront his sexuality. Which is why we never see Mike being his true self around El. In every single season, he is this false person. He’s wearing a facade, to keep up with these lies. Because he fears that If El knew how nerdy he really was, she’d be uninterested, and he ‘can’t lose her’ because he knows that El is most likely the only girl who will never be grossed out by him. Because all the other girls in this town know who he is. That nerdy guy from the AV club. And he needs a girlfriend. He feels safe that way. Because if he doesn’t have a distraction from his sexuality then he might take an extra step on accident and accidently act on those feelings

Ep 1: making out

Ep2: breaking up

Ep 3-6: fighting

Ep 7: neutral

Ep 8 ½ : neutral

Very end of ep 8: together?

How is that romantic? So from what we know, Mileven got a kiss in season 1, a kiss in season 2, 2 make out sessions, and then they fought. HOW IS THAT A GOOD RELATIONSHIP?

90% of their relationship throughout all 3 seasons has been kissing and fighting. That’s literally it. Not once have we seen them just hanging out and talking. Not once have we seen them go on dates. And as Hopper, Lucas, and Will put: that’s all they do! The Duffer’s purposefully put that line in to show that, it’s really all they did for those 6 months. There was no emotion to that. Just kissing. That’s it. Kissing and fighting is all Mileven has been. And honestly they would have been pretty cute in season 3 if the Duffer’s hadn’t messed it up. But the duffers aren’t stupid! They did this on purpose! Because they wanted us to disagree with Mileven. They wanted us to find it obnoxious. Because they know that they don’t have chemistry! Finn and Millie are brilliant actors and could have definitely pulled that off, meaning the Duffers had to have specifically said to “not act in love”. Mileven is a summer fling, Finn said so himself. They are their true selves when they are apart, and when they are together romantically, they stunt each other’s growth. They’re way better as bestfriends. El needs to figure herself out before she can date anyone.

Thank you for reading part one! Part two will be up soon, and will follow why I believe Byler will be end game!

Heavy inspiration from @kaypeace21 & @hawkinsschoolcounselor

#stranger things 4 #stranger things #byler #byler rights #byler theory #stranger things theory #anti mileven #byler is endgame #st4

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hunnywrites · 5 years

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Chapter Five: First Blood

Summary: The town of Hawkins has been turned upside down with the news that Will Byers has suddenly gone missing. Teddi Larsson and Billy Hargrove are gonna get to the bottom of things. Season one AU.

Pairing: Billy Hargrove/OFC

A/N: Sorry this is late! On top of working so much I’ve been sick. So it’s been real fun. I will apologize with more poorly written smut, some soft boy Billy and a team up with Jancy!

After what felt like forever, Teddi finally pulled into her driveway. She and Billy were silent. They were both breathing heavily. Teddi’s arms and legs felt like they would never stop shaking. “That...thing practically lives in your goddamn backyard, Teddi.” Billy finally said.

“I know.” she gasped out. If she turned around, she could see Mirkwood out of van’s back window. Teddi was gripping onto the steering wheel so tightly that her knuckles had turned white.

“...Are you okay?” Billy asked carefully.

Teddi nodded. “...You?” she looked over at him, silence falling over them once more as they watched each other. We could have died, Teddi kept thinking. Her brain kept screaming it at her. Tonight could have been the last time she had ever seen Billy. You and me till the end, she thought, eyes trained on Billy, who had stayed behind to make sure she was safe. Billy, who she loved more than she could really, fully understand.

They both moved at the same time. Teddi threw her arms around Billy’s shoulders while he grabbed her waist, pulling her out of her seat and into his lap. Their lips met in a bruising kiss. That feeling of not being able to catch her breath was back. It was like she couldn’t get close enough to him. Billy let out a low growl as Teddi rolled her hips, grinding down against him.

Their kisses were all teeth. Their hands were grabbing, clawing at each other. Billy shoved Teddi’s denim skirt up her thighs, his fingers digging into her skin tightly, like if he let go she would disappear right before his eyes. She was sure that she would have bruises the next day. She didn’t care. Her swollen lips had found a home at Billy’s neck. Billy’s eyes fell shut, his head falling back against the headrest as Teddi bit at his pulse point. She ran her tongue over it, relishing in that small, beating reminder that Billy was alive and they had survived the night.

Billy ran his hand up through Teddi’s sandy blonde hair, giving it a soft tug and pulling her from him. He kissed her deeply, his other hand just barely grazing the inside of her thigh before disappearing into the band of her cotton panties. The way the Teddi slowly moaned out his name into his ear made Billy slow his motions, enjoying the way he was teasing her. He smirked up at her before capturing her lips again.

Teddi couldn’t take it anymore. She blindly reached down, her fingers fumbling with Billy’s belt buckle. Their breathing picked up as she yanked his belt free. As Teddi unbuttoned his jeans, Billy pushed her panties to the side. They each let out a hiss as she sunk down onto him. There was no real rhythm to either of their movements. Teddi’s hips rolled and rocked desperately, Billy was gripping tightly onto her waist thrusting upwards to meet her with enough force to send a small, but wonderful sense of pain through her. Pain was good, she decided. It was a reminder that she had made it out alive.

Teddi breathed out Billy’s name as they reached the high that they had been chasing. She rested her forehead against his as their bodies stilled, running her fingers through his curls. Billy’s hands were running slowly up and down Teddi’s thighs as he reached up, kissing her one last time.

“...I’m glad you didn’t get eaten.” Teddi finally said, breaking the silence.

Billy let out a soft laugh. “Ditto.”

Teddi smiled, biting down on her lip. “We should probably get inside, huh?” they straightened out their clothes, Billy helping Teddi out of the van before they snuck across the front lawn and to the side of the house to Teddi’s bedroom window. Teddi wordlessly made her way across her room and into the bathroom. When he heard the shower turn on, Billy followed after her. Neither of them spoke as they squoze into Teddi’s tiny shower. They just wanted to wash the night off of them. And Teddi desperately wanted to sleep.

She sunk into bed with a low groan. Her whole body ached. The bed dipped next to her as Billy laid down beside her. The pair stared up at the little glow in the dark stars that Teddi had stuck to the ceiling. “...Do you think that’s what got Barb?” she asked, her voice sounding small. Billy didn’t answer. He didn’t need to. They both knew the answer. “I think...I think that’s what I saw that night out by Steve’s pool. I thought maybe it was Johnathan after Carol told us about the pictures but…” it had been dark enough that Teddi could have mistaken the Demogorgon for a human. Had it been watching them? Waiting to see which of them it wanted to prey on? Her stomach lurched when she imagined what it might have done to Barb.

“We have to tell the kids,” she said. “There’s no way in hell they’re going back out into the woods. I don’t care if El can move things with her mind. And we have to kill that thing, Billy. Before it can get anyone else.”

Billy didn’t disagree. He’d be dead before he let Max go anywhere near those woods. Or any of the kids. But this was bigger than the two of them. This was a monster. An actual monster. Billy thought that the only monsters they would face were their dads. But they paled in comparison to the Demogorgon. “...How?” he asked.

Teddi rolled out of bed. She flicked the light on her nightstand on and headed over to a bubblegum pink duffle bag that had been tossed by her closet. She rummaged around in it for a few seconds before she came back. Billy sat up and eyed the ratty notebook in her hands. “What am I looking at here?” he asked with a raised eyebrow.

Teddi was flipping furiously through the pages. “It’s my campaign notebook for Dungeons and Dragons. I think I can maybe find something...here!” she held the notebook up to Billy to show him. He didn’t really know what he was looking at if he was honest. He scanned Teddi’s small, curly handwriting trying to take in as much as he could. She pointed her finger a line that mentioned Will the Wise. “We don’t run into the Demogorgon often, but enough for me to know a little bit about how we can maybe stop it.” she explained.

Billy smirked over at her, amused with how excited she sounded. “You know, it’s pretty hot when you get all nerdy like this, Ted.” he teased.

Her cheeks turned a light shade of pink. “...That’s definitely the first time I’ve ever heard that,” she confessed before shaking her head and focusing on the task at hand. “The Demogorgon is a chaotic evil. It’s this demon god that has a cult following,” she began. Billy only blinked at her. Teddi waved her hand. “Forget it. Whenever we’ve encountered it in the game before, Will always casts fireball. If the spell works then it’s usually enough to defeat it.”

“...Where are we supposed to get a fireball?” Billy asked.

“We don’t need a literal fireball. When you used the hairspray and the lighter, it scared it. So it doesn’t seem to like fire. What I’m trying to say, is that if the basics from the game work against the Demogorgon in Hawkins we might actually be able to kill it.” she said with a wide grin.

Billy laid back, resting his hands behind his head as he contemplated everything Teddi was saying. He cracked a small smile. “Let’s just hope there’s no cult, right?” he joked. Teddi went silent. Her eyes went wide. Billy’s smile faded. “...Ted?”

“The power outage,” she said. “The night that Will went missing. The power in the arcade and like the whole town went out. And El said that bad men were after her...someone has to be responsible for the Demogorgon being here.”

Billy groaned. “Are you saying whoever was experimenting on the kid brought a monster here? I was kidding about the whole cult thing.”

“But you’re right! Someone had to have been behind all of this! We have to tell Hopper.” Teddi moved to get back out of bed, but Billy grabbed her by the arm and pulled her back. She let out a huff and glared over at him.

“Ted. Babe. It’s almost one in the morning. We were almost eaten by a monster from a board game. I think we need to take the rest of the night off and call Hop tomorrow,” Teddi knew he was right. She hated it when he was right. “Come on,” he patted the bed. “Get in bed. You’re stressing me out,” with a grumble Teddi laid back down next to him. Billy wrapped an arm around her and pulled her close to him before shutting the light back off. “So, what...is Will some kinda wizard or something?” he asked after a long moment of silence.

Teddi smiled. She wasn’t sure if it was at his question, or the fact that he was talking about Will in the present tense. “He’s a cleric,” Billy was quiet. “It’s sort of a mix between a warrior and a wizard, I guess.” she explained as best as Billy would be able to understand.

“And what are you?”

“I’m a paladin. Me and Mike are...that’s probably why we’re always arguing.”

“...Well, what would I be?” he asked.

“Honestly?...Probably a barbarian.”

Teddi could practically hear him frowning. “I don’t think I like the implications of your tone there, Ted.”

“You shouldn’t,” she giggled and squirmed when he gently pinched her side. They fell into a comfortable silence for a bit. “...Where do you think we could go where there aren’t monsters?” she asked suddenly. “What about New Orleans?” she offered.

Billy smiled. “You wanna go to New Orleans?” he asked.

“I wanna see all the stuff from Interview with the Vampire.” she said with a shrug.

Billy laughed and rolled his eyes. “Of course this is about a book.”

Teddi smiled, looking up at him. “I like Lestat. He reminds me of you.”

Billy considered the idea. He’d imagined the two of them running off from Hawkins one day. They’d quite literally been trying to get out since they were kids. He never knew where they would go. California was usually a pretty popular choice between them. He could see them settling down there. But there was a chance they’d be happier anywhere that wasn’t Hawkins. “...Maybe we can go on a road trip,” he suggested. “Save up our money. See what’s out there and choose where we want to go.”

Teddi let out a yawn and nodded. “I like that idea....we have to take Steve this time, though,” she joked.

Billy let out a snort. “Yeah, we’ll see about that,” Teddi yawned again. He gently nudged her side. “Get some sleep, Ted.” she didn’t argue. Teddi leaned up and pressed a small kiss on Billy’s jaw before her head settled on his chest. It didn’t take long before they both drifted off to sleep.

They both dreamed of the demogorgon stalking them through the woods that night.

---

School was cancelled the next day. Will’s funeral was early that morning. Billy managed to sneak out before Teddi’s dad came downstairs to tell her that they would be going to the funeral as a family. Teddi was a little surprised her dad even knew Will’s name.

She was still exhausted from the night before. Her eyes kept begging her for just five more minutes of sleep as she got ready. Teddi hoped she wouldn’t fall asleep during the funeral. Just because she, Billy and the kids knew that Will was still alive didn’t mean she could let herself slip up like that. Especially when she imagined how angry it would make her father to embarrass him in front of half the town.

Teddi pulled on black, long sleeved skater dress for the funeral. Her mom gave her a black coat and a pair of heels to wear instead of her usual puffy jacket and boots so she’d look more presentable. The car ride to the cemetery was quiet. Teddi had a hard time remembering the last time she had ridden in the car with her parents. It definitely hadn’t been since she was little. Her mother was fidgeting with a white kerchief between her fingers. No doubt a prop for when she turned on the pretend water works later to make people think she cared about Will. Teddi had to keep herself from rolling her eyes.

Billy was there. He was standing a foot or two away from Neil, Susan and Max. He was wearing a suit, Teddi was surprised to see. Of course it looked good on him. His back was turned to the group of people that were gathering around Will’s grave. He had a cigarette pinched between his fingers. He looked as tired as Teddi was. Neil shook her father’s hand and Susan gave her mother what barely counted as a hug. Teddi wouldn’t say that her and Billy’s parents were friends. She knew that Neil didn’t like her or the fact that she was so close with Billy. But her parents were rich, and her father had an important, flashy job, so Neil sucked up when he could. Teddi knew if her parents had their way she’d probably be dating Steve.

Teddi and Max shared a small smile as Billy made his way over. “You shouldn’t be smoking here, Billy.” Neil muttered. Billy only rolled his eyes. Billy stood next to Teddi, the backs of his fingers just barely brushing against hers. Teddi hooked her middle finger with his, the cold metal of his ring a nice feeling against her skin. They stayed like that for the entire funeral. Teddi noticed the boys weren’t trying quite as hard as she was to keep acting as though Will was really gone. At one point Karen Wheeler had to tell them to be quiet. Billy rolled his eyes.

Teddi was a little surprised that Hopper wasn’t there. This definitely wasn’t the sort of thing he would miss. She was even more surprised to see that Johnathan and Will’s father Lonnie had actually showed up. Just when she thought things couldn’t get any stranger.

Joyce looked like she was on another planet completely. Teddi’s heart ached for her. She couldn’t imagine what she must have been going through these past few days. It was taking almost all of her energy not to run over to her and telling her all about El, the Demogorgon and Mike’s theory that the body sitting in the coffin in front of them wasn’t actually Will.

Once the funeral was over and everyone started to head to the reception that was being held in the church, Billy nudged Teddi. He nodded his head to something. “Check that out,” Teddi followed his gaze. Johnathan Byers and Nancy Wheeler were huddled together. They were looking at some piece of paper, but Teddi couldn’t make out what it was. “Those two look awful cozy, don’t they?” he smirked.

Teddi rolled her eyes. “It’s nothing. Like Nancy would mess around behind Steve’s back with Johnathan freakin’ Byers,” she had to admit though, it was odd. Especially considering the fact that Johnathan had just been caught taking those creepy pictures of them at Steve’s party. Teddi took Billy’s hand in hers and pulled him along towards the church. “Forget them. Let’s get inside. At least we can get some food out of this bullshit.”

Max, Dustin, Lucas and Mike were inside and crowded around their science teacher, who was talking to them about something animatedly. Teddi rolled her eyes when she saw her father, Neil, Lonnie and Ted Wheeler crowded together. “Birds of a feather…” Teddi muttered. Billy smirked as they made their way over to the snacks. She popped a Nilla Wafer in her mouth and frowned. “Aw, man. These are store brand.”

“That’s what I said,” Teddi jumped at the sound of Dustin’s voice behind her. The four preteens were lined up, looking expectantly at Billy and Teddi. “We need a ride.” Dustin explained.

“Need a ride where?” Billy asked.

“Back to my house. We’ll explain when we get there. We have news about…” Mike looked around and leaned in a little closer. “You know who.” he whispered.

“Oh, so do we! Big news.” Teddi said.

Billy shot a glance over at where Neil was standing before nodding his head, motioning for them to follow him. None of the adults would care if they left. They’d probably already forgotten any of them were there. So they piled into the Camaro, the four kids squeezing into the back seat and headed to the Wheeler’s house.

El was in the basement, still dressed in her pink dress and wig. She smiled when she saw Teddi come down the stairs. Teddi plopped down on the couch next to her. “Alright, so who wants to share their news first?” she asked.

Mike didn’t hesitate. “We know where Will is.” he announced.

Lucas rolled his eyes. “Mike, don’t get their hopes up. It’s not that simple. We know where he is, but we don’t know how to get to him.” he corrected.

Teddi raised an eyebrow. “...Meaning?”

“Upside Down.” El said next to her.

“The hell is Upside Down?” Billy asked, a cigarette pinched between his lips as he lit it.

“You can’t smoke in here,” Mike said sternly. Billy only looked at him. Mike rolled his eyes. “The Upside Down is a different dimension. It’s like the Vale of Shadows. It’s like here, but opposite. Something opened a gate and the Demogorgon got through and took Will. We have to find where the gate is, and how to open it.”

“What about her?” Billy asked, nodding at El. “It was her Demogorgon cult that brought the damn thing here,” the kids all stared up at him. “...What? I know some shit too.”

Teddi shook her head. “Nooo way. You guys aren’t going to find the gate. We will find the gate,” she motioned between Billy and herself. “We saw that thing last night out in Mirkwood. You guys aren’t going anywhere near it.”

“You saw it?” Max asked, a little too excited considering how traumatizing it had been for them. “What did it look like? What’s it doing out there? Was there any sign of Will?” she asked.

“Slow your roll, Mad Max,” Billy said cooly. “We don’t know what it was doing out there. We were too busy trying to keep it from eating us. Teddi’s right. You guys are keeping your asses parked in this basement while we handle it.”

“El could totally stop it!” Dustin argued. “You should have seen what she did to Troy Walsh at school yesterday.” he laughed. Teddi couldn’t help but smile at Eleven’s proud look.

Billy held up his hand. “No discussions. Got it?” he asked, looking at each of them. “I said, got it?” he repeated when no one answered.

“Yeah, Billy. We got it.” Max rolled her eyes. Teddi didn’t miss the fact that Max was the only one to speak up. She knew the kids would try to sneak out later that night to look for the gate. Which just meant she and Billy would need to find it before they did.

It was clear that Billy didn’t believe them either. He shot each of them one last glare before letting out a tired sigh and running a hand over his face. “C’mon, Teddi. I’ll take you home.”

Teddi got up from her spot on the couch, turning to face the party when she reached Billy’s side. “Seriously, guys. Don’t go out there alone, okay? That thing...it’s not something any of you want to mess with. Believe me.” her eyes met with El’s, and Teddi saw understanding there. Fear. Had El seen the Demogorgon too?

The kids remained silent. Teddi realized that there would be no convincing them. They would do whatever they needed to do to get Will home safe. And Teddi couldn’t blame them. She was doing the same thing herself. She just hoped that she and Billy found the gate and the Demogorgon before anyone else did.

---

After Billy dropped Teddi off back at her place, Steve came over. He caught her when she was on her porch, unlocking her door. “Teddi! Can we talk for a sec?” he asked as he jogged towards her.

“Steve, hey,” she smiled thinly at him. “...Is everything okay?”

“I was gonna ask you the same thing,” he said with a small laugh. “I feel like you and Billy are ignoring me or something. Is this about what happened with Byers at school the other day? Because-”

Teddi held up her hand. “Wait, what? What happened with Johnathan?”

Steve shifted from foot to foot uncomfortably. He rubbed the back of his neck and looked down at his shoes. “Tommy and Carol told me he was taking pictures of us at my place. So we waited out by his car to ask about it...I kinda smashed his camera.” he admitted.

“Steve.”

“I know,” he groaned, throwing his head back. “I feel like a dick. But I couldn’t let him get away with it, Teddi. And Tommy got me all riled up about it...I turn into such an asshole around that guy.” he did. So did Billy. Even Teddi had her moments.

“I think maybe the three of us need to take a little break from Tommy and Carol.” Teddi said, scrunching her nose.

Steve nodded. “Definitely...so you guys aren’t mad at me or anything? Freezing me out?” Teddi realized it probably looked that way. Especially after Billy had practically chased Steve away from her van the other day at school. But they were just trying to keep Steve from getting involved. He didn’t need to know about all of the weird shit in Hawkins.

“We’re not freezing you out, Steve. I promise,” she reassured him. “Me and Billy have just had a lot going on. Lots of…” she tried to think of the simplest way to say it.

Steve grinned. “Lots of couple stuff?” he finished for her.

Teddi let out a soft laugh and nodded. “Couple stuff.”

Steve leaned against her front door. “Took you guys long enough. Just don’t forget about me, okay?” he said with a teasing smile.

“I could never forget you, Harrington.”

“True. I am pretty unforgettable. Anyways, I should get going. I’m supposed to pick Nancy up to go to the movies. Hey, the four of us should go out sometime. Like a double date.” Teddi thought back to seeing Nancy all huddled together with Johnathan Byers. She thought it was better not to say anything to Steve about it.

“Definitely,” she nodded. “Maybe this weekend?” that was if she and Billy didn’t get eaten by a monster at least.

“Sounds good. See ya, Ted.” he waved, jogging back down the driveway and heading back to his house. Teddi hurried inside. Her parents were still out. Most likely still at the funeral trying to make people think they cared. She hurried down the entryway hall, past the kitchen and to her father’s study. He had a big filing cabinet that sat behind his desk that he never bothered to lock.

He had a map of Hawkins in one of the drawers. Her father had maps of almost everything in town. Teddi never really thought much of it. It was just part of his job. Whatever that even was. But now wasn’t really the time to think of things like that. Right now she had to try and figure out where the gate to the Upside Down was.

“Theodora! Are you home?” Teddi jumped at the sound of her father’s voice. She quickly rolled the map up, shutting the filing cabinet drawer shut and poking her head out of the office’s door. Her parents were by the front door. Her father was helping her mom take her coat off before hanging it up. “What are you doing in my office?” thankfully he seemed more confused than upset.

“Sorry, um I have to head to work soon so Billy gave me a ride home. I didn’t wanna drag you away from everyone...can I borrow this?” she held up the map.

Greg raised an eyebrow, fixing a stern look in her direction. “What do you need that for?”

“...School project.” Teddi lied.

He rolled his eyes. “As long as you take good care of it. I want it back in one piece. And don’t you go back into my office without my permission.” he ordered.

“Yes, sir. Thank you!” she hurried past her parents and downstairs to her bed room. She quickly changed for work before calling Billy.

“Yeah?” he answered, already sounding bored with the conversation.

“Billy, it’s me. I need you to meet me at the arcade. It’s super important.”

“Is it actually important or are you dragging me down there to show me you changed all the Dragon’s Lair high score names to swear words again-”

“It’s actually important,” she huffed. “It’s about...you know. Just come to the arcade, okay? I’m on my way there now.” she didn’t give him a chance to argue. She slammed the phone back down into its cradle and was off.

The arcade wasn’t very busy. It was a pretty quiet afternoon in Hawkins. It was almost like the whole town was in grieving for Will. Teddi had her dad’s map laid out on the prize counter. She was using tokens to mark out the things she wanted to show Billy to avoid marking the map and facing her father’s wrath.

Billy sauntered in about twenty minutes after her shift started. He had swapped out his suit for jeans, a Motley Crue shirt and his leather jacket. Teddi figured he was late because he was trying to decide what to wear. “Alright, Larsson. What’s the big deal?” he leaned against the counter casually.

Teddi tapped down at the map. “I think I’ve narrowed down where the gate is,” she said excitedly. She set her finger in the center of a small triangle she had created with three tokens. “This is where they started looking for Will with the search party, and this is Steve and Will’s house. So I don’t think that the Demogorgon goes very far whenever it’s out. I’m thinking the gate must be somewhere in this part of the woods. It’s not exact, but at least we’ve narrowed it down.”

Billy looked over his shoulder. “Should we be talking about this here?”

Teddi rolled her eyes. “The Coulson twins are the only ones in here. Keith is next door. It’s fine. I’m thinking we should go back tonight. We can be better prepared this time. I mean, we know it doesn’t like fire.”

Billy let out a soft groan. “I don’t know about this, Ted...we barely made it out last time.” he argued. And he was right. This was stupid and dangerous. But it had to be done. She had to protect her friends.

“If we don’t do it then the kids are gonna go looking for it. We’re lucky that Will survived. We might not be that lucky again.”

Billy was quiet for a long time. He was weighing his options. There weren’t really very many for him to consider. “...Fine. We’ll go. I can go to the liquor store and pick some bottles up with my fake ID.”

Teddi frowned. “The hell are you gonna do with those? Get the Demogorgon drunk?” she asked.

Billy rolled his eyes. “Funny. I’m gonna make some molotov cocktails.” he crossed his arms.

“Who are you? Rambo?” she laughed.

“Well do you have a better idea?” she didn’t. Being destructive is what Billy did best. It was probably better to let him take charge in this case. “That’s what I thought. I’ll come back later after your shift and pick you up. I wanna get this shit over with so everything can go back to normal.” but Teddi was pretty sure that wasn’t possible. Someone had faked Will’s death, conjured up a monster in Hawkins and experimented on a little girl. Things were anything but normal now.

---

Teddi would have been lying if she said she wasn’t scared to go back out into the woods. She and Billy were a little more prepared this time around. She had a backpack full of monster slaying gear and Billy was still insistent on his molotov cocktails. But they were still no match for the Demogorgon, she knew it.

“So what’s the plan?” Billy asked as they made their way further into the woods. They each had a flashlight this time around. They were also much more alert.

Teddi shrugged. “We burn it. I don’t really have a plan B.” she confessed.

“Oh, great…” Billy muttered. He was trying his hardest to hide how afraid he was. If he was afraid he knew it would put Teddi on edge. And he hadn’t missed the way that the beam of light from her flashlight kept shaking the further they ventured into Mirkwood.

Billy hadn’t heard anything, but Teddi let out a small gasp and jumped. She started to shine her flashlight every which way. “Did you hear that?” she asked, her eyes wide.

“No...what did it sound like?”

Teddi had stopped walking. She spun in a circle, trying to find who or what had made the sound she had heard. “It sounded like voices…” she frowned. “Who the hell could be out here this late?” she asked no one in particular. She walked off without Billy.

“Jesus, Teddi, wait up!” he hissed, jogging to catch up with her. She was no longer looking for the monster. Teddi moved further into the woods. “I didn’t hear anything. Maybe you’re just freaking yourself ou-” something hard collided with Billy, knocking him to the ground.

“Sorry! Sorry...Billy? What the hell are you doing out here?” it was Johnathan Byers. Teddi whipped around to face the two boys. Johnathan held his hand out to Billy, who smacked it away. He got back on his feet and brushed the dirt and leaves from his pants.

“Johnathan!” Teddi spat. “You can’t be out here! It’s not safe!”

“What are you doing anyways? Taking more pervy pictures?” Billy sneered.

Johnathan looked frazzled. And not because of Billy. His breathing was uneven like he had been running. “What? That’s not- look, I don’t have time for this. I’m looking for Nancy-”

“Wheeler?” Teddi asked, her eyebrows raised.

“What gives, Byers? You think if you keep stalking her she’ll dump Steve for your weird ass? And why the fuck do you have a gun?”

“Billy.” Teddi scolded him.

Johnathan held his hands up. “Nancy is about to get eaten by a monster! I have to find her!”

That shut Billy up. Billy and Teddi both went into action. Flashing their flashlights all around for any sign Nancy. If Teddi listened closely enough she thought maybe she could hear her calling for Johnathan. Her voice sounded strange, though. Like she was underwater almost.

She didn’t waste any time. Teddi ran off in the direction she thought Nancy’s voice was coming from. Johnathan and Billy were calling after her but she didn’t stop. Nancy’s voice was getting closer and closer the further she ran.

Eventually she stopped at a tree that looked like it was covered in some sort of web-like slime. The tree almost looked alive. There was a red, glowing light that pulsed inside of it almost like a heartbeat. Teddi could only assume that this was the gate. It had to be. And Nancy had gone through it. Teddi thought back to her first run in with the Demogorgon. She couldn’t let Nancy face that thing alone.

So Teddi crawled through the membrane. She winced at the slimy feeling of it against her skin. It was cold on the other side. Much colder than in Mirkwood. It was snowing. No, it wasn’t snow. Teddi couldn’t really make out what was falling down around her.

Wherever she was, it looked like Mirkwood. But it was different. It felt like she was stuck in some sort of dream. Everything seemed slower, colder, darker. There was thunder booming above her. Like a storm was approaching. The sky was a bright red shade that contrasted dramatically against the blue hue that surrounded her.

Teddi swallowed thickly, slowly turning in a circle and looking for any sign that Nancy was nearby. But there was no Nancy. And thankfully no Demogorgon. Now Teddi found herself alone and trapped in the Upside Down.

#billy hargrove #billy hargrove fic #billy hargrove x oc

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jancisstuff · 7 years

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Worm in the Apple - Subject Zero

We are lucky. I think of all the atrocities that monster has made. Then realize I can think of all of them. I can see what caused it. I can find a means to end it.

I cannot count the numbers of others who have no answer. The added pain of not knowing why loved ones were lost and gone. The names of those far too gone to give more than death to free them. To deliver them into Thal’s hands and trust Him to trade fairly for all the pain they have endured. Something beyond what the Hells could invoke.

I can have hope. Barengar’s brother is right here. Garrett is on the run and will be caught - for all I cannot bear to say that name it races through my mind - as those torture dens gets snuffed out one by one.

I can.

Barengar Armsbreaker sat upon the edge of the ledge that overlooked that gentle flow of the river. The warrior had seen himself out of the Lavender Beds for a spell in order to create some distance between him and the natural activity that came hand-in-hand with a residential ward. The last several sennights that passed since the events within Garret's last stronghold had left the warrior in an introspective state. That was no different on this day as he gazed out over the waters in silence; gaze distant.

Jancis Milburga didn't attempt to hide the crunching of the brush as she found good places to fit within all the growth. She had a particular slow prodding way she'd find gaps and holes as she took her time to step where the least would be trampled. Plodding along and following the general tug, she finally caught sight of hair shining above the foliage and turned in that direction still childishly avoiding flowers. Barengar Armsbreaker kept his gaze upon the river below at first, not wholly unaware of Jancis' approach but simply distracted by his thought, before she settled down upon the ledge near him. The mercenary's gaze slowly shifted over toward the healer, his head bowing as a low rumble reverberated within his chest. The man looked to be in good health. He looked well rested and entirely free of any injury he might have sustained during the conflict with Garrett, save for the weight that seemed to lurk in his eyes. Jancis Milburga smiled softly, murmuring back at the Ala Mhigan's wordless greeting, her head bowing to unsling one of the packs she wore and deliberately started sliding it into the man's lap. The clear aroma of breads and meat came through. She'd been aware of how long it had been since he ventured out. Her gaze continued to try to keep on his, following that look that had lingered far more than she cared for, her face quiet as she watched and settled fully on the rocks. Barengar Armsbreaker glanced down at the pack as it was deposited into his lap, lips pressing together thoughtfully before he simply relented and removed the food that she had brought him. It couldn't reasonably deny that he was hungry. The man remained silent for a few moments, allowing him the time to take a few bites of the prepared lunch before his deep voice rumbled over the gentle din of the river, "How's 'e doin'?" Jancis Milburga answered as best she could as he ate. The sandwich was warm, bread clearly made on a pan and the thin slices of meat prepared much the same, some kind of cheese sticky between the layers. Though, for her own sake, there was some sort of tomato sauce hinting within. "He heals well. Well enough, he continues to be active so it does not heal too rapidly and weakly. Otherwise, I am not sure. He is quiet, quiet like before. Before he would show himself. He leaves often." Jancis Milburga looked guilty, the clear look of the coincidence on her face. "Not sure it is for the same reasons." Barengar Armsbreaker continued to eat as he took in Jancis' explanation, mulling over the meaning behind what she described before catching the guilty look upon her features. The man carefully placed his food down before settling his attention upon the healer, "Figurin' 'is reasons 're similar t'mine an' it ain't got anythin' t'do wit' yerself." He grumbled quietly, closing his eyes and shaking his head before pulling in a slow breath, "S'good t' 'ear tha' he's healin'" His gaze slowly returning to the river. Jancis Milburga kept her gaze on the man before her, eyes lingering over the way the shark's face dipped down towards the water as he gazed at it, the guilt fading away as she followed the look. "Are you? Way you look reminds me ravens."

Barengar Armsbreaker glanced over at Jancis once more at the mention of the ravens. He simply gazed upon the woman in silence for a time before filtering a quiet sigh through his lungs. "Figurin' so ... were I only t'ave the comfort o' knownin' tha' wha' I saw weren't real this time 'round." Jancis Milburga: "Spoke the same that night. Still have not shared what it is you saw. May I ask to? I would with you. In a moment, at that time, was as if I could not hear you. What brought that so close?" Jancis Milburga tries to emphasize herself, resting the back of her hand on his arm for the contact of it, her gaze turning to show how focused she was on her request. Barengar Armsbreaker fell silent again, though Jancis' gestures of support appeared to keep the man from retreating entirely inward. Several long moments passed as he collected his resolve and came to his ultimate conclusion to share that which he saw at the urging of the stone. "Saw Bertram. Fr'm all those years 'go. Th'night 'e ..." There was a pause, as though he was looking for the right word but couldn't find it, "... died." Jancis Milburga furrowed her eyebrows, shifting to have more than her hand on him, the plants crunched without acknowledgement as she sat with intent to be a presence. Quiet moments passed as she waited patiently for him to collect more to describe. "Another way?"

Barengar Armsbreaker glanced over at Jancis as she situated herself beside him, his head tilting to the side slightly, "'nother way?" he grumbled quietly in question, his right shoulder rolling back slightly. Jancis Milburga tilted her head, eyes searching. "An other way?" Her question was even more as she tried to clarify the poorly worded encouragement. "Outside of your recollections." Her hand returned to his arm, fingers loose and curled inward. Barengar Armsbreaker didn't answer immediately, simply remaining still for several moment before slowly bobbing his head in her direction, "Tha' nigh' was ... a blur. A mistake. S'alot tha' I ain't recallin' fr'm it af'er I was taken out." he murmured quietly, "Ne'er really saw 'ow Bertram was lost." Barengar Armsbreaker shook his head slowly, "Until now any'ow." Jancis Milburga somehow sits up more, her eyes more intent and intense upon him. The empty hand laying on his arm had a slight movement in it to be felt. "I would know. It is important." Barengar Armsbreaker clenched his jaw for a moment before sharping shaking his head. Whatever thoughts that had been dwelling with him now turned toward anger. "It was bleedin' Garrett's facility tha' we were raidin' tha' night. Th'bleedin' shite 'imself." The man took another moment to rein in his anger, a slow breath draining from his chest. "Place was trapped b'yond wha' were were prepared t'handle. Took a blast an' e'erything went black..." He closed his eyes, "But tha's when it 'appened. Tha' ... Barengar Armsbreaker ... swivin' mage pu' one o' 'is bleedin' devices on me." Barengar now looked over at Jancis directly, moving his left arm to touch his chest, "It was me." He clenched his jaw again as the raw emotion built up within him, "I was th'one tha' attacked 'im. I was th' one tha' took 'is eye while 'e chose t'let it 'appen and free me." Jancis Milburga stares, partly shaking her head before stopping mid-movement, frozen as her thoughts swirl. "Was." She paused, anger reflecting in her eyes, "Monster." Her hand shot up to his forehead, thumb smudging over it before moving to look at his shoulder. "Freed you? The pain of that. You see more? There is more?" She sounded almost insistent on these memories, clearly now piecing together her insights on this horrid device. "He survived the attacked." Barengar Armsbreaker was, briefly, taken aback by Jancis sudden shift in tone. Though he was far from blaming her for demanding to know more. He knew how much it mattered to her as well as him. A hand gently rose up to grasp hers gently before releasing it. "I ... ain't rightly sure, bu' I think 'e did." Barengar shook his head slowly several times before closing his eyes, "Ain't rememberin' anythin' more'n tha' ... " Jancis Milburga calmed as her hand was directed back from picking at him, curling it up on her tunic. "Monster. All the Turns stolen. The deceit made to the others. The facade impression that monster made of you to other kin. Has ruined so much. Stolen more than lifetimes." Her anger wasn't entirely quelled by his gesture, still fueled by his earlier expression, one he had much longer to mull over. He eyes went from the water, then to him, back to the steady flow and took a slow breath. "We are lucky." Barengar Armsbreaker simply sat in accepting silence as he allow Jancis the time to vent her anger from within. He could not image doing any less as it was an anger that he shared. He understood it in its entirety. He quietly nodded his head as she rattled off the list of sins committed by the Ala Mhigan mage before he came to a pause at her mention of luck. His eyes moved to hers and his head tilted to the side slightly. Jancis Milburga met his gaze, eyes softening a moment. "We survive. And work so hard to piece together this broken trail of bodies and people with lost names and memories. Monsters rely on the broken pieces, that luck. Was lucky. No longer." Her pale eyes had another confidence in them. "Shall follow the monster, shall find it, snuff it out. Recollect Windshadow's memories and he will not look at you as someone who took his eye anymore but the brother he was close to. We are lucky and prepared." Jancis Milburga: "Yes. Prepared. Must needs recover that stone. And those crystal shards. They will know where that monster went. Can find someone to trace it. Then take out hiding spots until none are left."

Jancis Milburga: "Notes. There must be notes." Barengar Armsbreaker blinked once more as Jancis' intensity seemed to only further increase as she rose to her feet and made her vows of enmity. The Ala Mhigan was caught off-guard at first but quickly find reason to see her resolve in a favorable light. To see her so ready to take action, it was an inspiring display. The warrior pushed himself up to his feet in turn, glancing down at Jancis and bowing his head toward her in firm agreement. "I ain't 'bout t'let 'im taint this world wit' 'is swivin' presence." Jancis Milburga echoes his statement, "Cannot even be called pluck. Denz has a larger shard of that crystal. And surely cannot return easily without it. Memeli tracked something similar before. It has a pattern. An address almost. Must needs find someone who can read it, first. Prepare with supplies for where it leads. Where is that stone?" The night was recollecting in her head, a flash of uncertainty coming to her. Barengar Armsbreaker listens quietly to Jancis' formulating plans, mulling over his own in kind before he was posed with the question regarding the location of the stone. "S'in m'keepin'. Knowin' as I do regardin' wha' it c'n do, I ain't rightly keen on 'avin' it elsewhere." Jancis Milburga bows her head a moment, "Then we do have it. And all the memories it stores. Wicked as its been used it has answers. What other movements that monster has planned with its hands veiled." The words make her look up at him again. "Mayhaps find a glimmer into what inhibits memories." Jancis Milburga: "It must be one of other encounters. How your shoulder got shards in it being another. Something those stones do? Mayhaps longer exposure causes more." Barengar Armsbreaker briefly glances down at his left shoulder, where Jancis had found the linger shards embedded beneath his skin. The man's lips pressed into a thin line before grumbling quietly, "A remnant o' wha' 'e did t'me." His gaze shifted back toward Jancis; determined. "We'll find out where 'e is. Jus' a matter o' time. Ain't convinced o' anythin' less." Jancis Milburga repeats his words, "Matter of time." She finally smiles again up at him. "Can prepare and still live in that time. We should go to Vylbrand soon. Pick up supplies and other things. Stay awhile there. Still need to recover more." Barengar Armsbreaker dips his head low, murmuring quietly under his breath before bowing his head toward Jancis in quiet agreement. "Figurin' tha's th'best thing tha' we c'n do righ' now." The mercenary rolled his shoulder back slightly, glacning over toward the east with a furrowed brow, "Wit' all th' rumblin's goin' on in th'east now's a good time, I figure." Jancis Milburga watched his expression a moment before stepping forward and pressing her forehead to his. "It is not a bad time. Shall join that soon enough by one means or another. It cannot hinder our goal." Barengar Armsbreaker applied a gently pressure against the gesture, foreheads firmly pressed before he pulled his head back up, an uncertain expression sitting upon his features for a moment at the notion of "joining" the goings on in Gyr Abania. He truly had no wish to have any part in it. However, he simply dipped his head toward the woman, "Figurin' we oughta be headin' back f'r the time bein'." Jancis Milburga murmurs a quiet agreement, turning to look back down the path and the way to the ferry. Barengar Armsbreaker nodded once more firmly before turning about and leading them back toward Lavender Beds and Lower Spangledance within.

Barengar Armsbreaker Jancis Milburga

July 4 2017

#Barengar Armsbreaker #Jancis Milburga

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jancys-blue-bayou · 7 years

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The problems with screentime in Stranger Things 2

Okay so this isn’t anything new but I feel the need to rant a bit about it anyway: the only real problem with season 2 of Stranger Things was the sheer size of the narrative. Adding several new characters into an already big ensemble, doing a very special episode for one of the main characters with some of those new characters meant big problems with the screentime given to both them and the other characters.

Because what made season 1 so great was the size of the story and the pacing of the narrative. Running three separate storylines that then intersected was done beautifully, especially how it enabled them to connect to different genres (the kids sci-fi-story, Nancy and Jonathan in a horror movie scenario, Hopper and Joyce in a conspiracy thriller). The pacing was so good, cutting between the different storylines in a way that always kept you glued to the screen.

Of course they made season 2 in a similar way, separating the characters into different plotlines that ran parallel until they intersected, and I enjoyed both how they kept some pairings (Nancy/Jonathan, Hopper/Joyce) but also found new constellations (Steve and the kids, Mike/Will/Hopper/Joyce). But, adding so many new characters, Max, Billy, Bob, Kali and her gang, Dr. Owens, Murray, meant that we had loads and loads of characters all jostling for screentime. All the new characters need screentime to be introduced and made a part of the story, but as a viewer we’re invested in the characters we already know and love. And everyone ends up feeling shortchanged, most of the new characters feel underdeveloped or pointless while several of the old characters feel underutilized and pushed aside. Most obviously Nancy and Jonathan, but I’ve also seen similar complaints about for example Mike.

Of the new characters I feel like Bob, Owens and Murray worked out the best. Bob because he’s given screentime to be one of the more fleshed out of the new guys, plus Sean Astin brings a natural likeability to the role. Owens and Murray work because they are well-written in to the plot in different ways. Now to Max and Billy. I like Max, I like what Sadie Sink does, but I think the role is underwritten, existing solely in connection with male characters as a love interest. The Duffer Brothers have said that they introduced Billy because they wanted a human antagonist, writing him in the way Steve was initially supposed to be until Joe Keery’s charm changed that character. Fine, I get what they’re after, the human antagonists of Stephen King is great and a staple of the eighties and the influence of Stephen King on the Duffers can’t be overstated. But, do they have to incorporate that Stephen King trope as well? I love how they balanced the shoutouts and references to the 80s in season 1, it always being very present and obvious yet not in a gratuitous way. Now it feels like they’re getting away from that with Billy. Like people have pointed out, he didn’t have any influence on the actual plot of the season, he could’ve been removed and nothing of the plot would’ve been different. There lies the problem for me, his character is only there as a part of the shows style and look, in the same way music and certain imagery is, but having a character only be stylistic and not plot-relevant, I don’t like. He’s just an 80s archetype for the sake of an 80s archetype, while other characters like Nancy, Jonathan, Eleven, Hopper etc start as archetypes that are then flipped on it’s head (like how Nancy is the horror flick chick trope but is then shown to be genresavvy, competent and much more above that).

Kali then. Obviously Eleven wasn’t the first test subject, of course they were going to adress that, but I’m not a fan of how they did it. Kali by herself is an interesting character. But the whole thing with the Warriors gang... it’s along the same lines as I touched upon earlier, with it feeling like the Duffers 80s references started to become gratuitous. Now to the love it or hate it Very Special Episode. I hate it, duh. I get that they wanted to be brave and do something different, but damn it just breaks the whole flow of the season, halting all other parts of the narrative like that and of course does away with the pacing I wrote about earlier, where they otherwise are so adept at juggling several storylines next to each other. Of course it deepens Eleven’s character and she learns about herself, but the character development she undergoes there didn’t need a whole episode, in fact I would’ve loved to get more glimpses of Kali throughout the previous episodes, like the opening scene of the season, think they could’ve written it differently.

So except for the way all the new characters kind of get each other’s way in fight for screentime which renders them underdeveloped, it also has the effect of doing other characters a disservice through the hogging of screentime. Mainly Nancy and Jonathan. OK, obviously as a hardcore Jancy shipper i’m always going to want more screentime for them, but it’s not just about that. Their plotline, exposing the lab, is great but given too little screentime given the enormity of their actions and also, since the plotline separates them very clearly from all the others and sends them on their own little adventure, not giving it more screentime really pushes it aside. Now the romance aspect of it, I love that Jancy became canon this season. I’ve seen some shippers being not happy with the way it happened, feeling that it was rushed. Personally I don’t feel it was rushed per se (ie I like the idea of them finally just jumping each other’s bone after skitting around it for so long), but it came off that way due to their lack of screentime which led to an amount of showing not telling, as @valkyriav have written very well about here. That’s basically why I write my fic The Real Shit, to fill in some blanks since we didn’t get enough scenes of them because of the screentime being devoted more to other characters. Btw, @jancystrangerstuff sent me this link earlier, the middle pic in the second row really looks like it’s from a deleted scene in the car the morning after (given her outfit and from the way their positioned, like she’s next to him in the front seat to me), thought I show it because that kind of provoked this whole rant.

Finally, all these characters being introduced and not developed enough this season really made me feel like season 2 was very much a stepping stone in the larger scheme of things. Obviously Kali and other test subjects will be a part of the show’s future and hopefully Max and maybe even Billy will be given more depth, and I still have hope that they will be able to write and balance all the characters in season 3 better.

#stranger things #stranger things thoughts #stranger things 2 #meta #jancy #nancy wheeler #jonathan byers #max mayfield #billy hargrove #kali #murray bauman #bob newby #doctor owens

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